There is much concern regarding stress in our modern lifestyle. There is also much deliberation amongst professional groups who try to find a way to recognize it and how to avoid it. Stress in the work place is common phenomena and also one of the major concerns. Some of the professional analysis of stress are as follows;
a. What is Stress?
Stress is the adverse reaction people have to exercise pressure. It is not a disease but
if stress is intense and goes on for sometime it can lead to mental and physical ill
health. (e.g.: depression, nervous breakdown, heart disease.)
b. It is a personal response to certain situations or behaviours. There is always pressure.
That pressure may be acceptable or it may be excessive. Stress develops when people
attempt to cope with events or problems which exceed their capacity and available
resources. One of the most noticeable stress situation develops amongst families
and conflicts with in the families can go on for years without the family
members recognizing the source of the conflicts.
c. Stress may be conscious or unconscious. Stress only becomes present when people
react to the situation or event with a stress response. The event may not in itself
cause stress. Some people strive on a certain level of stress and are stimulated until
over load develops.
d. There are various kinds of stress reactions;
i) Physical to the world around us.
ii) Mental or psychological imposed by conditions or by other people.
iii) Acute in relation to single event.
iv) Chronic in relation to a situation which has become ongoing.
In some individuals within a family group they become intoxicated with being right each time there is an argument within the family. The thought of being wrong is totally beyond question.Therefore, there is never any compromise on the part of that individual. However, being wrong is not a demeaning situation. All humans make mistake at one time or another. It is therefore wise to be able to look again at the situation and consider the way forward.
As modern society develops, the need to be aware of the causes and meaning of stress becomes more important. We need to be able first to understand the problem before action can be taken to correct it.
